FUSELAGE CREATIONS TUPOLEV TU-22U BLINDER-D

Description

The Tupolev Tu-22U (Blinder-D) is the training variant of the Soviet Union’s first production supersonic bomber. Until the Tu-22U formally entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1965, pilots had to undergo training on standard operational aircraft, as there was no other means to practice and keep current. To accommodate instruction, the Blinder-D featured a raised second cockpit for an instructor (replacing the operator’s cockpit) and removed the tail guns. A total of 46 Tu-22Us were produced; earlier trainer models did not have a refuelling probe, which later was added to the Tu-22UD, featuring a refuelling probe (although without internal fuel transfer equipment). The Blinder-D served in the Soviet, Libyan, and Iraqi Air Forces, and remained operational with the Russian and Ukrainian Air Forces following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The tag in your possession was crafted from the first ever Tu-22U, bearing serial number 06-01 (601). Rather than being built as a standard serial aircraft, 601 was converted from a modified Tu-22R, with conversion process later applied to two additional airframes. Testing began in 1962, paving the way for the type’s formal entry into service and full serial production in 1965.

On August 12 1986, while serving with the 199th OGDRAP under military designation “03 Red”, this Tu-22U suffered a belly landing at Nizhyn Air Base in the Ukrainian SSR. According to the official incident investigation, both pilots failed to complete the landing checklist during a routine training flight. Consequently, the landing gear was not properly locked into position, causing the aircraft to land on its fuselage. The bomber skidded off the runway onto the grass before coming to a stop, severely damaging its underside and tearing off the landing gear gondolas.

Following the crash, “03 Red” was scrapped on site. In 2025, our team was able to salvage and upcycle the metal from its engine cowlings directly at Nyzhin Air Base. Now, the legacy of this pioneering, one-of-a-kind aircraft lives on as a unique tag for aviation enthusiasts around the world to cherish!